AIMS: Suzuki previews Swift for 2011 debut

Suzuki previewed the new generation Swift hatchback at the Australian International Motor Show this morning – but it won't go on sale until about March next year.

The company said the new model is taller, wider and roomier than before – and yet more fuel efficient.

The new Swift has already won 63 car of the year awards in 19 countries.

The company confirmed the Australian-spec Swift will have seven airbags standard across the range, including a driver's knee airbag, and stability control. What's not clear is what engine will be under the bonnet but the Carsales Network understands it will have a 1.4-litre petrol engine, not the 1.2-litre engine offered in Europe.

"People loved the look of the current Swift so there wasn't a need to change it radically," said the boss of Suzuki Australia, Tony Devers, when asked about the new model's familiar styling.

Devers confirmed a diesel version was under consideration. However, the Suzuki marketing boss cautioned it was not confirmed.

"In this class of car the improvement in fuel economy between petrol and diesel is less pronounced. It's harder to justify [the additional diesel engine costs] in dollar terms," he stated.

Devers promised the new Swift would deliver class-leading fuel economy in its petrol variant.

Suzuki Australia is on track to record 25,000 sales for the first time in its history. To the end of September, Suzuki had sold 18,602 cars, up 27 per cent on the 2009 figure at a time when the new-car market is up 14 per cent.

For our full coverage of the Australian International Motor Show in Sydney visit our minisite at carsales.com.au/aims

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